Tuesday, May 2 2006 16:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Sunderland: Arsenal's French midfielder Abou Diaby is set to miss the Champions League final against Barcelona with a fractured, dislocated ankle, after being stretchered off near the end of the Gunners' 3-0 win over Sunderland on Monday.

Diaby, who has impressed since being signed from Auxerre in January, was floored by an ugly injury-time lunge by Sunderland's Dan Smith.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry could barely contain his fury at a tackle that he claimed typified the home side's approach to the match.

"I hope Diaby can recover as quickly as possible," Henry said.," The poor kid, it's not every day you get a chance to play in the Champions League final. "

"What happened to him at the end was a pity. Sunderland players were not interested in kicking the ball, they wanted to kick the player the whole time. Some of the tackles clearly weren't for the ball," he said.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Smith should have received a straight red card for the foul.

"It looks a very serious ankle injury, and I'm down for Diaby. He's worked hard to come back from previous injuries and this takes away from the victory," said Wenger.

"It was a bad kick and an un-necessary one, not nice to see. He will be going to hospital tonight and it's a big blow to lose a player like that. Fabregas was kicked a few times as well which isn't acceptable, it's difficult to take, " he said.

"We can accept an accident but not the way this happened. It's sad because some players are on the pitch not trying to play football. That's just not acceptable. The only one who didn't see the Smith incident as a red card was the referee," he said.



Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball defended substitute Smith, who was sent his Sunderland debut earlier this season.

"Dan's not a dirty player, he went for the ball and has caught the player," said Ball.

"We wish him a speedy recovery. I think it's a little unfair on Dan, he's not malicious," he said.